PEKAN: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah urged everyone to prioritise flood mitigation efforts over political considerations.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, also the Sultan of Pahang, emphasised the need to expedite planned flood mitigation projects in the region, stressing their importance for long-term flood prevention.
"Flood mitigation projects that have been planned by the authorities in Pahang should be sped up and this will be a long term plan (to overcome floods).
"I hope (you) do not politicise the matter, but it is best to give serious and urgent focus to execute the flood mitigation plans," he said when visiting flood victims at the Felda Chini 1 temporary relief centre today.
Also present were Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan IsmailWan Rosdy.
During the state assembly sitting last year, Wan Rosdy said the Flood Mitigation Plans would be implemented in several districts to overcome the flood problem with an allocation of about RM501 million.
The king also reminded evacuees to maintain hygiene in relief centers and ensure cleanliness, expressing concern about potential health issues post-evacuation.
"I am concerned that the victims will face health issues after a challenging time at the flood relief centres when they return home.
"Do not fall sick due to diseases after returning home from the relief centres. Do not take this lightly as it could pose a threat if we are too complacent.
"Everyone has a role to play and ensure the cleanliness at the centres, especially the toilets," he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah sympathised with the flood victims who had to move temporarily to the relief centres. He hoped they could return to their homes soon.
"I hope those whose homes were hit by flood are not badly damaged. Nadma( National Disaster Management Agency) will provide some assistance to the flood victims to help with the maintenance works (flood hit homes)."
The monarch also conveyed condolences for the tragic loss of a plantation worker, Muhammad Adhwa Haslan, in the floods.
The federal government pledged RM10,000, while the Pahang government committed RM5,000 to the victim's next-of-kin.
On Jan 8, Muhammad Adhwa Haslan, 31, was on his way home to the workers' quarters at the Sungai Bebar Utara oil palm plantation in Pekan, plying through a submerged stretch. He attempted to ride through the flooded road under 0.33m of water.
He lost control of his machine before it veered and fell into a ditch. His remains were found about 10.20am the following day.